Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi announced her retirement on Tuesday, ending a 20-year career in the WNBA that included three WNBA championships and the league’s all-time scoring record.
“Diana is the greatest to have ever played the game,” Mercury and Suns owner Mat Ishbia said in a statement. “I’ve been a fan of her my entire life, she is the ultimate leader and teammate. She’s had an incredible impact on our franchise, our community and the game of basketball. Her name is synonymous with the Phoenix Mercury and she will forever be part of our family.”
More than that, Taurasi might very well be the greatest athlete ever to perform for an Arizona home team.
Taurasi’s WNBA career ended in a first-round sweep by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 playoffs.
Here is what to know about the WNBA and Mercury legend:
Where did Diana Taurasi go to college?
Taurasi played college basketball at the University of Connecticut from 2000-04 under legendary head coach Geno Auriemma. Taurasi won three consecutive NCAA women’s basketball championships at UConn (2002, 2003 and 2004).
When was Diana Taurasi drafted into the WNBA?
The Mercury selected Taurasi first overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft. She played her entire career in Phoenix.
How many career points does Diana Taurasi have?
Over her 20-year career, Taurasi scored 10,646 career points, the most in the league. During the 2023 season, Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to score 10,000 career points.
Phoenix Mercury’s superstar: Diana Taurasi’s stellar career by the numbers
How many WNBA titles did Diana Taurasi win with the Mercury?
Taurasi won three WNBA championships in her career with the Mercury (2007, 2009 and 2014). Taurasi was crowned Finals MVP in 2009 and 2014.
Did Diana Taurasi play in the Olympics?
Yes, Taurasi played and won gold medals with Team USA in six straight Olympics (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024).
How old is Diana Taurasi?
Taurasi was born on June 11, 1982, making her 42 years old as of February 2025.
Is Diana Taurasi married?
Yes, Taurasi is married to former WNBA player and ex-Mercury teammate Penny Taylor. The pair were married in 2017 and have two children.
The Arizona Republic’s Jenna Ortiz contributed to this article.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi
